Vets4Pets Leigh-on-Sea

What is your favourite animal and why? Jacob the cat because he has been through good and bad times with me. What pets do you have and what are their names? Jacob a lilac colourpoint British shorthaired cat What's the best pet name that you've ever come across? Arf Dun (half done) a cat born with half a tail What is your favourite famous animal? Bagpuss What's the best aspect of working for Vets4Pets? My team

I have been working in small animal practice in Essex since graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2013 and have been at Vets4Pets since September 2014. I love all of our awesome clients and their animals, especially if it is a Spaniel! I am hoping to specialise in cardiology or neurology in the future. Outside of work I enjoy playing football and golf. I have a working cocker spaniel called Arya who lives with my parents as she likes how much food my mum gives her!

I have been here at Vets 4 Pets since graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in the summer of 2017. Having spent a lot of time here as a student I was delighted to come back home join such a lovely team. I love all things furry and have a soft spot for Chocolate Labradors. When I’m not here you’ll usually find me relaxing, cooking, or working through my bucket list. Next up is learning the piano, conquering the UKs hottest curry and driving both ways round the M25 in one day.

I have been working as a Veterinary Nurse since I graduated from the Royal Veterinary College with a BSc (Hons) in Veterinary nursing in 2007. Since qualifying I have worked in referral, mixed practice and several small animal practices around the Essex area and loved seeing such a variety of practices in that time. After a short break from nursing I am back doing what I love working with a great team and lovely clients.

I have always wanted to work with animals from a young age. As a child I loved looking after my own wide variety of pets, which included gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs. I started my veterinary career in 1998 when I was lucky enough to gain a position as a student nurse at a local practice. I qualified as a Veterinary Nurse after studying at Writtle Agricultural College and have worked at several small animal clinics over the years. I started working at Vets4Pets in 2013. I like all aspects of my job but have a particular enthusiasm for small furries (rabbits, guinea pigs etc). I thoroughly enjoy the challenges that nursing these small patients provides. At home I enjoy looking after my family which includes a husband and two children. We have a rescue dog called Sukoshi Momo (Little Peach), two rabbits called Frank and Lyra and seven guinea pigs called Giovanni, Roux, Mi Mi, Matilda, Astrid, Ada and Flo.

I started working at Vets4Pets back in November 2013 after being a volunteer on my day off from my full time job for nearly 6 months. I was lucky enough to be offered a job first as a receptionist in the practice, and then as a student veterinary nurse. I am currently finishing my final year of veterinary nursing. Training this year is definitely hard but totally worth it when I get to do this job every day! I have two pooches at home, Beau who is 3 1/2 and Dory who is nearly 2 years old. They are English cocker spaniels and very cheeky monsters! I keep trying to add more animals to my family but my husband isn't as easily persuaded as I am. There isn't a morning when I wake up and don't want to come into work. My colleagues, the clients and all of their animals are so lovely, it's like one big family and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

I am a fairly new addition to the team, having started in August 2016, following on from volunteering at the practice on my days off. I love the transparency of animal care: that what you see is what you get. There are no fake symptoms - if anything an animal will mask its pain rather than let you know there is a problem. Aside from meeting the charming animal clients of Leigh and the surrounding areas, such as the wonderful Boris photographed with me - thanks for keeping your eyes open Boris! I love being out in the community, usually covered in mud and with at least one of my furry friends.